1952.The
Southwest Missouri
State Promenaders Square Dance Club asked L. D. Keller to call at their
weekly
dance in the East Gym.Jerry
Hill, from
Carroll County, Arkansas, introduced the group to jig dancing, which
was an
Ozark variation of Appalachian clogging.They also increased the tempo to 165 beats per minute from
the normal
120 bpm.L. D.
selected the two best
teams and in the next 18 months they performed in over 40 benefits in
the
Ozarks.

1954.In
the Spring, the SMSC
Promenaders performed at the National Square Dance Convention in
Dallas,
Texas.They were
the only dancers to
receive a standing ovation from the 20,000 attendees from over the
United
States and Canada.It
was the first time
they had seen jig dancing combined with square dancing.Dr. “Pappy” Shaw, the Dean of Western
Square
Dancing, proclaimed the Promenaders "the best I've seen in years.Their dancing was real
square dancing, the
kind they do back in the hills."

1954.In
July, the SMSC Promenaders
were asked to perform on the nationally televised Ted Mack Original
Amateur
Hour in New York City.They
came in
second.

1955.The
Promenaders turn
professional, ending their association with SMSC.Travel would often require students to drop
school for at least a term.Their
first
booking was a month long engagement at the Blue Room, Roosevelt Hotel,
New
Orleans.

1955.The
Ozark Jubilee,
starring Red Foley, began national telecasting from Columbia, Missouri,
on
January 22nd.The
first few telecasts
were from Columbia, while Springfield and the Jewell Theatre were wired
to send
out a signal over the phone lines.The
Promenaders became the weekly dancers in April.Every Jubilee show in its five and half year existence
featured square
dancing.If the
Promenaders were
traveling, another group such as the Tadpoles, Jigalongs, or Wagon
Wheelers
filled in.

1955.Through
the early 70's,
the Promenaders traveled extensively doing fairs, stage shows, and
rodeos.Most were
packages shows with Jubilee or
Grand Ole Opry performers.Below
are a
few exceptions.

1956.January
was the start
of a month long tour with Gene Autry.Later in the year the Promenaders performed with Autry for
three weeks
at the Canadian National Exposition, Toronto, Canada and later that
year the
Golden Spurs Rodeo, Chicago.In
1957 the
Promenaders again worked for Gene Autry at the Boston Gardens Rodeo and
a rodeo
in Wisconsin.

1956.The
Promenaders were
booked for three weeks at the Shamrock Hotel, Houston, Texas.They performed two shows
each evening for
dinner guests.

1956.Seventeen
Magazine
featured the Promenaders with the girls modeling different dresses.

1957.TheLone
Ranger, Tonto, Lassie
and the Promenaders were the featured entertainment

the
Championship Rodeo at the Madison Square Garden, New York City.

1958.The
Promenaders are
booked for a second engagement at the Blue Room, Roosevelt Hotel, New
Orleans.

1961.The
Five Star Jubilee,
starring Rex Allen, Snooky Lansing, Tex Ritter, Jimmy Wakely, and Carl
Smith
began six months of national telecasts from the Landers Theatre in
Springfield.The
Promenaders were
featured on a little over half the weekly shows because during that
period they
traveled extensively.

1964.In March, the Slim Wilson Show began
an 11 year run on KYTV in
Springfield. It featured The Tall Timber Trio and Band, Goodwill
Family, and L.
D. Keller and the Promenaders.Local
entertainers also appeared as guests on the show.

1969.The
last national
appearance of the Promenaders was on the taping at Silver Dollar City
for the
Beverly Hillbillies.The
show aired on
October 8, 1969.

1975.At
the end of the Slim
Wilson Show, L. D. Keller elected to retire and the Promenaders
disbanded.

In
the 23 years of existence, over 80 dancers were
members of the Promenaders.Completing
their education, careers, marriage, and military draft created the
turnover.

A
book, The History of the Promenaders, will be
published this summer.It
is intended
for family and friends.It
is estimated
to be 275 pages and over 300 photographs with many stories about these
memorable years of the dancers’ youth.